Why Fireflies Flash

Up the Waterspout

221B Baker Street

"Always in pairs," Sherlock says as he stares intently at the wall of blown up photos. "Numbers... come with partners. Why did he paint it so near the tracks?"

"No idea," John breathes as he works on Quinn's shoulder.

"Ow!"

"Sorry, but you deserve it."

"I deserve it?" Quinn breathes in deep stifling another outcry of pain. "What the hell did I ever do to you to deserve this?"

John rolls his eyes as he injects the numbing agent around the gash. "You should've had me look at it the moment it happened."

"Sorry," she snapped. "I was a bit busy trying not to be hurt by the spider."

"That's not an excuse. Stay still, wouldn't want to hurt you anymore."

She rolled her eyes as he swiftly closed up her wound. She tried to pay attention to Sherlock's rambling to himself but the gentle tugging on her shoulder grabbed her attention. It would've been done as soon as they returned to the flat but she insisted on helping Sherlock translate the numbers and John took the chance to get in a few winks. Eventually, though, John had woken up and insisted himself on checking out her shoulder.

"Whatever was stolen he wants it back. It's all somewhere within this code."

"Yes the book code," Quinn breathed. "Which we cannot crack without Soo Lin."

"Book code?" Sherlock asked turning to face her.

Quinn pulled the shoulder of her dress back up and shot him a blank stare. "Yes, book code."

National Antique Museum

After changing quickly into a less bloodied dress and shorter heels, the trio took a trip to the museum where they met up with Andy again.

"Two men who traveled back from China were murdered," Sherlock informs harshly. "And their killer left their messages in Hangzou numerals."

"Soo Lin Yao is in danger," John speaks up. "And that cypher, it was just the same pattern as the other. He means to kill her as well."

"Look, I've tried everywhere. Friends, colleagues, I don't know where she's gone. I mean she could be a thousand miles from here."

"Thanks, Alfie," Quinn breathes into her cell phone. "Sorry to bother you on your honeymoon." She turns back to the group. "He is right. If neither me nor Alfie can find her, then he certainly would not be able to find her." She glances at Sherlock who was staring off into the distance. "What are you looking at?"

He points to a glass case right behind her. "Tell me more about those teapots."

"Well, the pots were her obsession," Andy explains. "And they need urgent work. If they dry out then the clay will start to crumble. Apparently you just have to keep making tea in them."

"Yesterday only one of those pots were shining," Sherlock observes. "Now there are two."

"She will be back tonight to do another one," Quinn states."

Sherlock nods. "So now we wait."

Later That Night

"You saw the cypher. You know he is coming for me."

Quinn gives a nod. "You have been clever at hiding from him. But I do not understand why you did not contact me or Alfie for help. We can get you away safely."

"I had to finish," Soo Lin says, "to finish this work. It's only a matter of time. I know he will find me."

"Who is he?" Sherlock asks. "Have you met him before?"